Autograph - 'Beyond'

They disbanded in 1989, but reformed in 2011 and, after the passing of bassist and founding member Randy Rand in April 2022, Autograph have released new album ‘Beyond’. It’s an easy listen, filled with smooth glimpses of vintage Autograph rubbing alongside a much more modern and commercial sound.

‘This Ain’t The Place I Wanna Be’ introduces this from the off; it’s upbeat and driving, with a very full, inoffensive mix throughout, contrasting their slightly more raw earlier sound. ‘Everything’ has a needed darker edge, followed by the similarly biting ‘Gotta Getcha’. We then strike gold with the vintage-feeling ‘Take Me Higher’; it’s not quite a ballad, but it incorporates a moving melody.

‘Run For Your Life’ is solid, while ‘Beautiful Disaster’, ‘Love Is A Double Edge Sword’, ‘Heart Of Stone’ and ‘Feels So Good’ are easy Hard Rock listens; however, they don’t rock you to your core. ‘Flying High’ sees guitarist Jimi Bell’s grittier tone up against a soaring melodic line from vocalist Simon Daniels. Closer ‘To Be Together’ is possibly the standout track, stacked with tension in the guitar line to create a cinematic feel.

It’s not that they sounded better in 1984, but we do have that to compare it to. They strike a more AOR and polished sound here, but I for one miss the bite and vibrancy of their earlier work.